4 Ways That Dental Issues Adversely Affect Your Emotional Health

|In a previous article we explored ways in which having the right dental procedure done can greatly improve your mental outlook and it can also be important to consider how dental issues can have negative impacts on your mental and emotional health and well-being, as well. Have gone through my own dental concerns when I was younger made me realize just how self-conscious I felt and that I was unconsciously not smiling because of this, which in turn, greatly impacted on my self-esteem

Have you had your own experience of dental concerns impacting on your emotional health? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below and continue reading to learn just how big of an impact it can be to go through dental issues in life.

Please note: This article does not contain medical or therapeutic advice. If you are concerned about your health or well-being speak with a health professional or visit your nearest medical facility in an emergency. This is a collaborative post.

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4 Ways That Dental Issues Adversely Affect
​Your Emotional Health

You already know that different types of dental issues can impact your cardiovascular health and the function of the immune system. What you may not realize is that dental problems can also be one of the causes of various emotional issues. Even if a dental issue is not a cause, things like damaged teeth and gum problems can make an existing emotional illness worse. Here are four examples of how poor dental health can adversely affect your mental well being. 

Inflammation and Depression

Inflammation caused by gum infections can place greater stress on the immune system. When that happens, the nervous system is also unable to function at optimum levels. The result is that you may begin to experience apathy, a sense of feeling drained, sudden bursts of energy followed by no energy at all, and possibly anger or feelings of being marginalized by loved ones. 

Along with treatment for the depression proper, it never hurts to undergo an oral examination. If there is inflammation present, clearing up that issue could contribute to your recovery. 

Social Anxiety and Tooth Decay

Decayed teeth can be the reason you find it difficult to navigate social situations. Your teeth look bad, which prompts you to not smile or be in situations where people might see your teeth. When you have no choice but to participate in a social event, you utilize every means possible to leave it as soon as you can. Over time, this withdrawal leaves you with social anxiety that makes it difficult to be out of your safe zones for any amount of time. 

Along with therapy and possibly medication to help you cope, doing something about the decayed teeth is a good idea. You could learn more about dental implants or partial dentures as a way to correct the dental issues. At the very least, restoring your dental health removes one obstacle to overcoming the social anxiety. 

Gum Infections and Panic Disorders

Remember the inflammation that exacerbated your depression? The panic attacks that you’re experiencing now could be tied to both the depression and to the gum infection that developed as a result of the inflammation. 

Prompt treatment to resolve the infection and the underlying inflammation won’t necessarily stop the panic attacks, but you could notice they happen less frequently and are not quite as severe. With ongoing treatment for the depression and managing the panic attacks with therapy and medication, you stand a good chance of starting to feel like yourself again in the months to come. 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Crooked Teeth

GAD is an emotional illness that often leaves your mind racing, leads to overthinking everything, and makes it almost impossible to get the sleep your mind and body needs. If you’re teeth are not aligned properly, some of the mental distress leading to GAD could be related to problems chewing, an unwillingness to smile, and even being unhappy with what you see in the bathroom mirror every morning.

The most practical solution is to look into a means of straightening your teeth. You may find that an option like invisalign works well. As your teeth move into alignment, you’re likely to find that it’s easier to undergo treatment for GAD, regain control of that racing mind, and eventually feel normal again. 

Don’t underestimate the role of proper dental care in dealing with emotional issues. Even if those issues are caused by other factors, eliminating dental problems will help you move along the path to restoration a lot faster. See a dentist today and find out if there’s something that needs to be taken care of today. Consider it an investment in your mental health as well as your physical well-being. 

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Related Articles:​

• How Do I Take Care of Myself After a Wisdom Tooth Removal?
• 7 Ways Your Physical Health Is Connected to Your Mental Health
• 4 Ways That the Right Dental Procedure Will Improve Your Mental Outlook

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